NEWSLETTER
BPK) L.

»MAisCÄr-1953

Who forgot to shut off the sprinklers? The
watering demonstration has gone on long enough.
Let there be sunshine. Little did ye editor anticipate when writing the last Newsletter on a bright,
warm March day that the April troubles would
be wet ones. And we had an expert come all
the way from Texas to tell us about moisture.

facturers' experts together at one meeting to
thrash out defects, requirements, etc. Not just
a demonstration of what the sprinklers are supposed to do but a frank exchange of ideas on
requirements of application. This could be a
summer meeting when the water systems are in
operation.

Seriously, it was a pleasure to welcome and
to hear a newcomer in this neck of the woods,
on turf problems. Every scientifically trained turf
specialist becoming more closely associated with,
our greenkeeping questions is another crutch of
aid in our profession. Congratulations to the Toro
Company for their f a r sightedness in obtaining
the services of Dr. James Watson. He is a graduate of Texas A. & M. and obtained his Doctors
degree at Penn. State working with H. B. Musser.
He is a most genial, sincere young man who we
hope to see more often.

NOTES OF GENERAL INTEREST.
The
door prize winners at Waltham April 6 were: Chet
Irwin, John Latvis, and lVEort Fisher. (Ross Bros.)
Ralph Roberts of Scituate was married Easter
Sunday. May your marriage Raiph, be as happy
as this eventful day represents.

Dr. Watson gave an excellent talk on Turf
Moisture at our April 6 meeting at the Waltham
Field Station. Here are a few brief notes. Plants
contain 69% water. Great amounts of water are
lost through the pores of the plant, called transpiration. The higher the temperature and wind
the greater the loss in water. Often times there
is plenty of moisture in the soil but transpiration
at the surface is so great syringing is necessary
to save the grass. When foot prints are showing
or a blue tinge appears you better syringe in
a hurry to prevent loss. There is less transpiration in a fertile soil. Physical condition of soil
is a major factor in water use. Increased amounts
of water will often increase bent and drive out
other grasses such as fescue and blue grass.
Water and nutrients are taken in to the plant
on the outer edge of roots through the root hairs.
Compaction of the soil occurs in the top onequarter or half inch. When 1.4 inches of water
per hour was applied to a compact soil the plant
intake per hour was .67 inches. When double
this amount was applied or 2.4 inches per hour
the intake dropped to .60 inches per hour. One
inch of water applied per hour is nearer the ideal.
A valuable question and answer period followed this talk. Some members thought we all
lost something in not prolonging the question
period. It does not pay to be bashful in asking
questions when an expert is present. The subject of soil moisture and watering, needs more
exploration. There are so many related factors,
direct and indirect, even the old time greenkeeper experienced in watering has much to
learn. How about getting all the sprinkler manu-

Dr. DeFrance has announced that the 1953
Kingston Field Day has been set for Wednesday
and Thursday, August 19 and 20. The dormitory
will be available as usual for an overnight stay.
The chicken barbecue may be a feature again.
However, the results of a vote taken at our meeting indicated that there were nine in favor of a
shore dinner and five for a chicken barbecue.
Doc, please take note.
The Tournament Committee announces the
following tentative meeting places for the summer.
Franklin C. C
May
Vespers C. C. (Chairman)
...June
Mettacomet C. C
July
Kernwood C. C. (Champ)
August
Framingham C. C
September
Brae Burn C. C. (Pro-Green)
October
Miami, National Open
January
Have you started your Miami savings account? This is your opportunity to see Florida
during the National Turf Conference in January.
For details about travel, living costs, accommodations, see some of the members who have been
to Florida—Herb Johnson, Guy Tedesco, Sim
Briao, H. Darling. Make it your vacation.
An application as an associate member has
been received from Daniel Silver, Oak Hill G. C.
It will be voted on at the coming meeting. May
4 is the date of our next meeting. At 11 A.M.
Sawtelle is to demonstrate new Jacobson greens
mower, and Clapper is to demonstrate new Acto
greens mower. Also Mr. R. N. McClellan will
speak on Hyper Humus. THE PLACE—Franklin C. C., Franklin, Mass, on Route 140 South of
Franklin. Jovial Bill Ash, the host greenkeeper,
will be expecting you. We'll see you there.
H. DARLING, Editor